Technology Tools for Teaching Reading


Technology Tools for Teaching Reading is a series of in-services focusing on the effective integration of technology into the elementary reading and language arts curriculum and re-focuses the way we think about and teach literacy. This series of in-services will revolve around the use of technology to promote reading, writing, presenting, viewing, listening and speaking. All six modules in this series are correlated to the ARI strands of phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency. An additional module focusing on both formative and summative assessment will be included. The influence of technologies will be discussed in order for educators to more effectively plan and scaffold learning activities for students. Examples of student work integrating technology into the curriculum will be shown. Available research on the use of technology in teaching and learning will be shared. Issues such as curriculum standards, classroom organization of technology resources, alternative delivery models, performance tasks, learning activities, and assessment of student work will be included in this series of in-services.
When schools schedule in-services with Technology in Motion we will come to your school at your convenience and set up the Technology in Motion laptop lab (up to 25 laptops) should your lab be unavailable. The room for in-service needs to have several power outlets and at least one Internet connection (our lab is wireless.) Please also make sure the room is located so that the laptop cart can be rolled into the room.

Staff Learning Goals

  • Understand the ways that technology changes our expectation of what an educated person must know and be able to do in order to effectively participate in society
  • Understand how the term “Multiple literacy’s” changes our traditional methods of “chalk talk”
  • Understand how technology can make teaching and learning pleasurable, relevant, and interesting
  • Learn how to extend existing print literacy instructional frameworks
  • Become familiar with effective methods of technology integration in reading and language arts
  • Recognize how the effective use of technology to teach reading can have a positive impact on assessment data

Technology Tools for Teaching Reading is presented over a series of six modules lasting 2 to 3 hours each. It is highly recommended that schools concentrate on one module at a time since these modules are very intense and packed with a plethora of useful information that can immediately be embedded into the reading and language arts curriculum. Many schools are scheduling one module a month beginning in August or September. These modules can be scheduled after school, or during the school day using rotating substitutes. The Technology in Motion Lab is equipped to train up to 25 teachers at a time. To visit the Technology Tools for Reading Wiki click the link.

Modules and Activities


Phonics

  • Desktop Publishing (creating classroom books and activities using Microsoft Word and Publisher)
  • Finding and using pre-made reading PowerPoints
  • Online reading lesson plans
  • Online read-aloud stories

Phonemic Awareness

  • Pre-reading language activities
  • Using Excel to create phonemic awareness activities
  • Searching and saving online songs, sound files, pictures and video clips
  • Printing tips for reading using your computers built in shortcuts

Vocabulary

  • Desktop publishing (using Microsoft Words hidden tools and short cuts)
  • Printable PowerPoint activities
  • Setting up basic student made PowerPoint activities
  • Online activities that maximize vocabulary development

Comprehension

  • Using templates to create student publications
  • Multimedia activities that encourage the application of reading skills
  • Online reproducibles and story generators
  • Using Advanced Internet search engines to search for reading activities

Fluency

  • Read and record with your computer’s built in tools
  • Saving fluency files for progress reporting
  • Free Podcasting tools that increase fluency
  • Use it or lose it (online publishing applications, Blogs and Wikis)

Assessment

  • Making an assessment timeline (planning for comprehensive assessment activities)
  • Making use of both formative and summative assessment in reading
  • Matching assessment opportunities to state course of study standards and classroom activities
  • Accessing free online assessment websites


Requirements for schools to schedule these six Technology Tools for Teaching Reading In-services

  • A commitment to increase the effective use of technology in the reading and language arts curriculum
  • The desire for both teachers and students to become more comfortable using technology to promote reading
  • A minimum of 2 hours training time scheduled for each module


Materials needed

  • 1 three ring binder per teacher
  • CD sleeve in binder
  • 6 tab dividers for binders
  • A 1 gigabyte USB jump drive for each teacher
  • 1 classroom USB jump drive for saving student work
  • Each classroom will need a computer microphone for recording fluency samples after the fluency module is conducted



If your school is interested in scheduling these six reading modules please contact Technology in Motion ASAP. The Technology in Motion in-service calendar operates on a first come first serve basis.

The module activities are in draft form and module activities may be rearranged for maximum effectiveness.